Teenager will support centre which helped her

A teenager who has battled severe depression is taking part in a sponsored walk to thank the centre which helped her.

Bethany Harris, 19, spent time at the Chalkhill centre in Haywards Heath three years ago but is now on the road to recovery.

She is determined to raise awareness of mental health issues in children and young people and raise money at the same time.

The centre, run by the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, treats young people with urgent mental health problems and eating disorders.

Bethany, a nursing student from Bognor, said: “Chalkhill played a big part in helping me with my recovery. The people who worked with me gave me the courage and support in wanting to change.

“I want to participate in this walk to raise awareness of the fact that young people can and do suffer with mental illness.”

Bethany will be among scores of people taking part in a five-mile walk from Worthing to Shoreham on Sunday morning in aid of the trust’s fundraising charity.

The trust runs mental health and learning disability services across Sussex and walkers can choose which of its many hospital wards and units they want to help.

Charity head of fundraising, Rachael Duke, said: “As many as one in four of us will experience mental health illness at some point in our lives but it is something people don’t always want to talk about.

“Our Walk for Wards seaside stroll is a great opportunity to show our support for people with mental health problems whilst also fundraising to make a real difference to patients in hospital.”

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